Top 10 Indie Games To Play Right Now

VOICE OVER: Ricky Tucci
WRITTEN BY: Saim Cheeda
Forget AAA titles — the indie scene is absolutely thriving right now! Join us as we count down the best indie games every gamer should be playing! From hide-and-seek multiplayer mayhem to noir detective shooters, there's something here for everyone. Which indie gem has you hooked lately? Let us know in the comments! Our countdown includes the chaotic multiplayer disguise game "Meccha Chameleon," the deeply creative RPG "Esoteric Ebb," the emotionally gripping "Schrödinger's Call," the rhythm-RPG hybrid "People of Note," the acclaimed roguelike "Hades II," the Metroidvania gem "MIO: Memories in Orbit," the bizarre cat dynasty sim "Mewgenics," and the stylish noir shooter "Mouse: P.I. for Hire," and more!

#10: “Meccha Chameleon” (2026)

We don’t blame you if your first reaction to this game is “what the heck is this?” After all, “Meccha Chameleon” does seem like it’s all over the place at first glance. And yet, this indie title became a complete smash hit, taking the hide-and-seek concept and turning it into a multiplayer obsession. As it goes, one team is supposed to hunt the other, who disguise themselves by painting their characters to blend into the environment. Whether you’d like to be part of the wall, the decor, or just disappear into the scenery, it’s all up to you. There’s an odd sense of wholesomeness to the game, creating a giggle-worthy atmosphere to go with its abundance of maps and gameplay styles.


#9: “Esoteric Ebb” (2026)

Ever wonder what would happen if you mashed “Dungeons & Dragons” together with “Disco Elysium”? Well, you don’t have to imagine anymore. Thrust into the role of the “world’s worst cleric,” players have to investigate a mysterious explosion in the city. Uniquely, the action mainly comprises branching into conversations, dice rolls, and debates with the voices inside the protagonist’s own head. Its slow-paced, isometric style might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for fans of deep role-playing, “Esoteric Ebb” is just the kind of unorthodox title they’ve been waiting for. Where it lacks in combat, the game more than makes up for it in terms of creativity and rewarding players with an inherent sense of curiosity.


#8: “Schrödinger’s Call” (2026)

If there were ever an award simply for the most creative premise, then this would win Game of the Year without question. “Schrödinger's Call” follows Mary, the last human alive, who answers calls from souls caught between life and death after the world ends. By choosing their words carefully, players can uncover each caller’s regrets and offer them a chance at peace. The game’s unique set of anthropomorphic characters adds an even bigger surreal edge, leaving you wondering what it’s all truly about. It isn’t just a choice-based game – it’s an experience that banks on each player’s individual empathy.


#7: “People of Note” (2026)

Music games haven’t really been a thing in a while. That’s why we’re glad this one hits all the right notes. Blending rhythm-based gameplay with RPG elements, “People of Note” is a low-key but incredibly fun experience. Guiding protagonist Cadence and her unlikely band of do-gooders against a world threat sounds promising already. Yet, the game raises the stakes with interactive performances, as each band member possesses their own distinct musical performance. Whether jamming out to hard-hitting rock riffs or electronic beats, its catchy soundtrack is both aesthetically pleasing and strategically deep. The musical gaming genre is usually hit-or-miss, but with so much charm and personality, “People of Note” is an encore worth experiencing.


#6: “Slay the Spire II” (2026)

Adaptation is the name of the game here, as Mega Crit’s follow-up to their breakout first installment goes bigger and better. It may not always shoot for something new, but it definitely knows what works. With new playable characters, alternate versions of each act, and even a four-player co-op, “Slay the Spire II” builds on the formula its predecessor had crafted. By crafting the perfect deck, players can weigh the risk versus reward and evolve their styles for unpredictable encounters. Despite a focus on co-op, the game never sacrifices the tense, roguelike level design that won the series its fanbase.


#5: “Hades II” (2025)

Although first released in 2025, console gamers finally experienced “Hades II” in all its glory in 2026. Simply being recognized on a large platform is a huge win for indie titles. But “Hades II” went all the way to the Game Awards, winning Best Action Game and nominated for Game of the Year. Just as gripping as the story is, the fast-paced combat is loaded with new magical abilities, weapons, and upgrades. Players get the full blast of the Greek-inspired landscape, with two distinct paths through the Underworld surface, memorable bosses to slay, and gorgeous art direction to keep us company all the way through.


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#4: “Mina the Hollower” (2026)

“Mina the Hollower” plays out exactly like titles from gaming’s classic era. Channeling the spirit and aesthetic of classic handheld adventures, it’s as if the Game Boy Color days are back just this once. As the brilliant and fearless mouse Mina, players navigate a fast-paced 2D world with mysterious backdrops and a variety of enemies. Although inspired by the classic “Legend of Zelda” format, the game has its own creative spin on things. Moves like Mina’s Hollowing ability allow players to burrow underground to dodge attacks and outmaneuver enemies, while progression rewards and its own lore give the game just the kind of identity it needs to stand on its own shoulders.


#3: “MIO: Memories in Orbit” (2026)

No matter how much gaming might evolve, Metroidvania will never die. “MIO” shows us how a modern Metroidvania not only survives, but can even thrive. Set on a sprawling spaceship inhabited by robots, we follow Mio through a dystopian spaceship containing the dying echoes of humanity. With secrets to uncover around a heartbreaking narrative, it keeps players occupied with challenging platforming sequences and gripping aerial combat. Exploration isn’t just part of gameplay – it opens up the story, further explaining how the interconnected world truly works. “MIO” goes a long way in showing that genuinely moving stories don’t always require AAA budgets. With beautiful hand-drawn 2.5D visuals and an atmospheric sci-fi backdrop, it’s an entirely creative title that allows players to play with imagination.


#2: “Mewgenics” (2026)

Not all indie games are emotional or reflective – some are deliberately bizarre. “Mewgenics” might seem like a weird RPG about controlling teams of cats, but that’s only half the story. Between adventures, you’ll breed future generations of feline heroes, pass down traits and mutations, and craft their abilities to create even stronger legacies. Players’ choices and consequences directly affect future generations, as growing cat dynasties take shape based on how far you’ve come. This makes for wildly unpredictable playthroughs, incredibly unique from one gamer to another. Its oddball strategy, life simulation, and roguelike style can only be appreciated the longer you’ve invested in it. So, if you’re in the mood for something you’ve never experienced before, “Mewgenics” is all you need.


#1: “Mouse: P.I. for Hire” (2026)

Indie first-person shooters are a rare breed, even more so when one follows an anthropomorphic mouse in 1930s Mouseberg. But don’t let its offbeat art style fool you. This noir-like shooter unfolds with crime, corruption, and conspiracies to boot. Combining detective work with frantic gunfights, “Mouse P.I. for Hire” has us gathering clues in one moment and shooting up enemies the other. With A-list voice actor Troy Baker as Jack Pepper, the game drops us into a top-notch narrative that keeps the story light but equally engaging. Even if you’re unsure what to make of it, the stylish and inventive art design will have you wrapped around in no time, as “Mouse: P.I. for Hire” really is unlike anything else on the market.


Which other indie titles do you think deserve a shoutout? Let us know in the comments.


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